Random Hacks of Kindness hosted by Code for Boston, City of Somerville and Greentown Labs

Proving once again that they may just be one of the coolest volunteer organizations in Greater Boston, Code for Boston is throwing a weekend-long civic hacking event at Greentown Labs in Somerville with the support of the City of Somerville and Greentown Labs.

By Joseph A. Curtatone

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors of those commentaries and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or publishers)

Last week I signed an executive order that limits Somerville’s participation in the flawed federal Secure Communities program, through which U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) asks—but does not require, as this is a program and not federal law—local law enforcement to hold undocumented immigrants after they have already posted bail or been ordered released by the courts. Somerville is taking this step to bring people who are already valuable, contributing members of our community out of the shadows. We want to encourage and boost cooperation with local law enforcement and keep families together, a factor that can stop crime before it happens. This is pro-public safety and pro-family values. News of my executive order inflamed passionate debate on both sides of the immigration issue, but too many of the arguments against this action are based on flawed logic and ignorance of the facts about undocumented immigrants in our country. Let’s clear up some of those myths.

All performances take place Monday-Thursday evenings at 7 p.m. in July and August

Residents are invited to reserve performance dates available for the 2014 Somerville Sunsetters, who will begin shows on Monday, July 1. Led by Somerville Youth Arts Coordinator Jimmy Del Ponte, the Sunsetters is a traveling youth music troupe, performing popular show tunes and contemporary pop music hits on city streets throughout July and August at sunset. The group began in the 1970s, performing through the 1980s until they were reinstated by Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone in 2004. The 45-minute shows are a great way to spend an early summer evening with the kids, neighbors, family and friends.

By Jim Clark

A police officer patrolling the Davis Square area last Saturday afternoon heard someone shout, “Fight!” in the vicinity of Statue Park and proceeded to the scene to investigate.

Upon arrival the officer reportedly spotted one woman striking another woman, as well as a man who was apparently attempting to intercede and break up the fight.

— Photos by Claudia Ferro
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Somerville’s annual Memorial Day Parade was held Sunday, May 25.

The ceremonies began with a short procession down Highland Avenue to the Central Library and the placing of wreaths on monuments along Central Hill Park. The parade stepped off from the City Hall/Somerville High School and proceeded down Highland Avenue to the Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery in Teele Square. The parade concluded in Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery with a ceremony of remembrance for fallen Somerville veterans under the supervision of the Somerville Allied Veterans Council.

Mayor Joe Curtatone signed the executive order Thursday directing police not to detain people based solely on immigration status.~Photo by Douglas Yu

By Douglas Yu

Mayor Joe Curtatone signed the executive order Thursday directing police not to detain people based solely on immigration status as required under the federal Secure Communities program.

“Thank you for choosing Somerville as your home. This is your city.” Curtatone said during the signing event at the public safety building. “What we’ve been fighting for is our collective values as a community. Tonight, we are taking a very important step to protect our neighbors and families.”

Ward 1 Alderman Matt McLaughlin advocated for a study of improved substance abuse recovery programs at Thursdays General Meeting of the Board of Alderman.

By Jeremy F. van der Heiden

Members of the Board of Aldermen held a regular meeting this past Thursday, May 22, at 7 p.m.

To begin, Ward 2 Alderman Maryann Heuston explained goings on at the Committee on Confirmation of Appointments, including the appointment of two applicants to be sworn into the Somerville Police Department. The two men, Shaun Clark and Alexander Lorenti, were sworn in upon the approval of the BOA, and will now attend the academy.

The City of Somerville, in coordination with the Institute for Human Centered Design, is undertaking the first ever survey of an entire municipality on accessibility needs and is asking residents to take the survey—and volunteer to distribute it—to collect vital resident feedback that will shape the City’s roadmap for accessibility.

This year’s Memorial Day Parade has become a big hit here in the city, by far the largest in the state at least. We remember the days of living a block from the parade route. We’d rush up to see the parade, and it was over within seven minutes. Congratulations to Joe Curtatone’s administration for doing a great job in organizing this yearly event. The crowd along the route was big as well, and appreciative of the many who marched in celebration of our veterans. Our good little friend Delia and her uncle Bobbygeorge have been long time parade attendees.

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors of those commentaries and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or publishers)

To Mr. Crosby and the Mass Gaming Commission,

By now you have certainly heard from countless Somerville residents regarding the proposed Everett casino. You have no doubt heard concerns about environmental issues, traffic, crime, and a lack of support for casinos in general. I share all of these concerns, and greatly fear the detrimental effects of a casino so close to Somerville. However, as the ward 1 alderman, whose district is right across the river from the proposed casino, I have another fear that is being overlooked. That concern is the economic impact the casino will have on our newly burgeoning East Somerville business districts.